John W. Schwiebert

John William Schwiebert, 85, of Hamler, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025.

He was born in Defiance, Ohio, on Feb. 11, 1940, to the late William and Clare (Stockman) Schwiebert.

John was a 1958 graduate of Hamler High School. In 1964, he married Darlene Kruse, and she preceded him in death in July of 1975. On July 2, 1981, he married Alice (Thieroff) Bower at Hope Lutheran Church of Hamler.

A faithful member of Hope Lutheran Church, John served as a former church president and Sunday school teacher. He began his career as a mechanic for Meineke Oliver (1960-76) before becoming an agriculture mechanics instructor at Peta County Career Center and hydraulics instructor for Dana Corp.

A renowned expert in Oliver, Cockshutt, and Clertrac tractors, John authored technical articles for the Hart-Parr Oliver collectibles magazine and was inducted into the Henry County Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2023. He was also a dedicated 4-H advisor for many years.

In his retirement, he enjoyed train watching, giving advice on antique tractors, and assisting on the family farm alongside his son, Ron.

He is survived by his wife, Alice, sharing over 44 years of marriage; children, Ronald (Teresa) Schwiebert, Michael (Rebecca) Schwiebert, Timothy (Michelle) Schwiebert, Jon (Jackie) Bower, and Jeffrey (Laura) Bower; grandchildren, Garrett, Gavin, Gracyn, Joshua, Meredith, Grant, and Claire Schwiebert, Austin (Elizabeth) Bower, Rylee Bower, Remi (Andrew) Renner, Miranda, Kendra, and Audrey Bower; three great-grandchildren, Novak, Nora, and Noelle Bower; and sisters-in-law, Vernie (Jon) Miller, Lori (Brian) Bickel, Karen Kruse, Becky Kruse, Tricia Thieroff, Shar (Ron) Babcock; and well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to his parents and first wife, Darlene, he was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, Eldon Kruse, Dan Kruse, Tom Kruse, Marvin (Maxine) Thieroff, Robert (Donna) Thieroff and Timothy Thieroff; and sister-in-law, Marietta McNeil.

Friends and family will be received at Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home, Napoleon, on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, from 2-8 p.m. Funeral services for John will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, Hamler, on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 11 a.m., with an hour of visitation prior to services at the church. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

Memorials can be directed towards Hope Lutheran Church or the donor's choice.

Online condolences may also be left for the family at rodenbergergray.com.